Why Carry A Concealed Weapon?

Honest Citizens Carry Concealed Weapons Because Bad Things Can Happen To Good People -Anytime, Anywhere.

Many honest citizens know this, and they know that when seconds count, the police are minutes away—at best! These honest citizens take responsibility for their own safety and choose to carry a concealed weapon for the protection of their own lives and those of their loved ones. They are not vigilantes; they are not cowboys, wanna-be cops, or wanna-be killers. They are people like you and me who realize that life and family are worth protecting in a dangerous world, and they want to have a fighting chance should crime come unbidden to them. By so doing, they protect not only their own lives, but the lives of those around them. They do this by being a de- terrent to those who would do us harm.

Before 1987 (when Florida laws changed to allow “shall- issue” carry permits), criminals knew it was very unlikely that their would-be victim was armed. No more! With the majority of states now being shall-issue, and with more citizens carrying guns for protection on more American streets, criminals cannot know who is armed and who is not. This deters criminals, and contributes to the decreasing trends in violent crimes nation-wide.

Carrying a gun is easier than carrying a cop. While the missions of the police officer and the armed citizen are different, guns in the hands of trained citizens can be just as effective against sudden attack as guns in the hands of trained police. The difference is, the responsibly armed citizen has the gun he carries immediately at hand when the danger strikes, and need not wait minutes or even hours for help to arrive. Any honest cop will tell you that most of the time, when they are called for help, they arrive after the danger has passed.

Violent crime has gone down in the United States for the last several decades, while the number of guns in civilian hands has gone up. But there is still more than enough violent crime to give the prudent citizen cause for alarm. Violent crime is still a real threat that can strike anyone anytime and anywhere. For the last year statistics are available from the FBI, there were 14,748 murders, 84,767 rapes, 367,832 robberies, and 797,500 kidnappings. These numbers are hard for some of us to understand, but that is because we are rational, law abiding members of society. We are the sheepdogs that have to help our loved ones, our friends, and even complete strangers from the wolves out there.

Facing the prospect of criminal attacks, many citizens choose to arm themselves with a handgun for the same reason police do: to protect themselves and others from deadly danger. Handguns are more convenient for full-time carry than rifles and shotguns, and given modern ammunition, they can be effective for defensive purposes. There are other options for personal protection, such as martial arts, knives, or sub-lethal devices such as OC pepper spray and noise-makers. Such devices have the disadvantage of being less effective at quickly and decisively stopping an aggressor, and they also have the added disadvantage of needing to be used at close-contact range if they are to be effective at all. By contrast, a gun delivers a powerful deterrent blow at a safer distance than can knives or pepper spray. In the face of a potentially lethal attack, the number one goal is the protection and survival of the innocent: that’s you, someone you love, or another innocent person.

~ Tim Schmidt

Tim Schmidt is the founder and CEO of the United States Concealed Carry Association and its sister organization the Home Defense Association of America (HDAA). The USCCA is “The Ultimate Resource for the Armed Citizen” and has over 65,000 active members. He is also the founder and publisher of Concealed Carry Magazine, a national magazine dedicated to the responsibly armed citizen. Tim is an avid shooter, loves to ride big, black motorcycles and holds a black belt in Tae Kwon do. He lives in South-Eastern Wisconsin with his wife of 18 years and three young children.

I am a retired Maryland resident. I own rifles, pistols, and shotguns. I belong to two Gun Clubs. I live in Anne Arundel County, where there is much crime. I would love to have a conceal Carry Permit. Maryland laws will not let me have one. I never tried, but was always told you have to have a very good reason to get one. I think that protecting me and my family is reason enough. If I try to carry one without a permit and us it to protecr myself, I’m in trouble. I would have to get rid of the guns I have, and loose going to the gun range.

Charlie –
What are trying to convey in your post ?? You say that Maryland State Laws will not let you have a concealed weapons permit because you were told that you must have a good reason to carry and that you have never tried to obtain the permit ??
If this is correct, then you will never receive a permit – Ever, and I have to say, I’m not so sure that this is such a bad thing.

The regular, everyday citizen isn’t going to waste his time if he knows that he is going to be categorically denied. He is probably like 95% of gun owners. He knows and believes he has the right to defend himself, but the current laws prevent it even though we have the 2nd Amendment.

When people like you and others fight and finally win the right to carry, he will be there. However, not everyone is necessarily a fighter. You should know that if you’ve served in the military. Not everyone takes the oath to defend our country, but everyone is grateful to those who do.

HI,charlie,im in the same boat you are im even an x-cop and small arms expert,i love to go to the range.we must try to press onward to change the laws.ill even send $ to get it turned over,in this world today we must protect,each other,as true americans should do,but we must follow the laws for know,i asend more to you later on,my walls here are open…….. dumb……. hang on ,and do what you think is best,for you and yours,

Not the best solution Robert, IMHO. Open carry is legal in many states with no permit, like here in Maine where I live. But I still hold a CCP and would never open carry anywhere but at my range, where I shoot with trusted friends and family. Open carry is far more dangerous because the gun can be seen and therefore people know that you have it and if someone was crazy/stupid enough they could try to take it from you. Concealed carry is definitely a better option than open carry, but I can understand why you would do it if you couldn’t get a concealed carry permit. To all the people who haven’t even applied for a permit yet in their states APPLY! If you can’t get a permit, then consider open carry if you have to, but you should at least apply for the CCP first instead of just not even applying because you don’t think you have a good enough reason and you’ll get denied. Charlie H. You said that you live “in Anne Arundel County, where there is much crime” and you’re retired (ie older, I don’t mean that offensively, but an older person is probably going to need an edge, like a gun, if they find themselves being attacked by a younger, possibly stronger and faster, criminal). Those sound like perfectly good reasons to have a concealed carry permit to me…

I am sorry for all legal and responable citizans that have there 2nd ammendment right subjected to smaller laws within there state. We should all be on the same page with the right to carry. I live in CT a concealed carry state I have had my permitt to carry for 15 yrs I would like to see CT as well as all state open carry i fell it would be a deturent for crime and allow non carriers to feel secure when the police are not around. Robert & Clancy keep fighting,Ct has finally alowed hunting with a pistol on privite land. Untill we all get on the same page let your frustation be heard.

CT has an open-carry law. Everyone carrys concealed, because if Biff and Muffy saw the firearm, they will call 911. You get arrested for Disorderly Conduct. After 2+ years they throw your case out of court – and maybe you will get your carry permit re-instated. Very true.

Disorderly conduct for what? For excercising your right to bear arms, and to open carry if the law allows? I dont understand your point Jim. Biff and Muffy as you say, better have a legit reason for calling 911 on a person peacefully and legally carrying. Thats all I have to say. My state has open and concealed carry. You have the right to open carry without a permit(by law) and if you conceal you have to have a CCW. People can suspect or see my gun on me all day,and call 911 if they want. They better have a D_mn good reason if they do. They will not because I am a law abiding citizen who is responsible. Jim, I can see you are an Anti-gun grabber. I hope you and your family never come under a violent attack.

My goodness……this is just another think I love about living in the South, outside of the grasp of the super liberal thinkers who apparently control your states. Of course we have crime……who doesn’t? However, we see instances all over the South where a citizen deters a “situation” without incident. It’s happening more and more. Our crime is mainly an infrastructure situation and of course we see a concentration of law enforcement folks in those. Everything we see here crimewise is drug related and mostly seen between certain ethnic and neighborhoods.
I pray that your laws become more like they should be!
We all wish that election times were closer.

I am from Texas. We have a CCL here, but we also have a Castle Law in effect too. I am a hunter and shooter. We have loads of feral hogs here. Texas also allows silencers with the proper Federal permit and tax stamp. Many have outfitted their ARs with silencers to more effectively eliminate the hog problems.

I think all legal and responsible citizens should be able to own and carry a firearm. Good luck to you all.

I live in St. Petersburg Florida, and have my CWP.it is good in about 34 States I believe. I also believe that any legal and responsible citizen should own and carry a concealed weapon for the protection of home and family. Just remember that “GUNS DON’T KILL PEOPLE, PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE”

Is Gerald Dye Saying that there is a CWP from FLA. that will allow him to legally carry a concealed weapon in 34 states? Please inform me on this one.!
I live in AZ where you can conceal & carry with NO Permit

I live in GA and have my CWP and I travel quite a bit and have looked up other states requirements for weapons permits and my permit is recognized by certain states like FL, as long as you comply with the laws you can carry but only if you are a visitor, if you move to that state of course you are required to get that states license. There is a list that you can look up online of cooperating states that recognize other states Concealed Weapons Permits

I live In west virginia and have a concealed carry permit that I can carry In AK*, AR, AZ, DE, FL, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NM, NV, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT*, WI***** WY, I never leave my home without my gun. I rather have it and not need it, then to not have it and need it.

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A Federal law is being pushed that would make a CCW permit similar to holding a drivers license. That is if your home state issues you a CCW permit it is to be honored by other states subject to those states CCW requirements. For example if your home state allows you to carry in State Parks but the state you are visiting does not then you have to abide by the visiting state’s law and not carry in their state parks.

Illinois is a whole different story as it will not allow it law abiding citizens to carry and protect themselves.

Before my wife passed away and I was subjected to a couple of burgerlerys afterward, and then attacked and threatened by some panhandler for not giving him any change, I did not own any gun what so ever. Now I have an arsenal. I am no tough guy, that is why I carry. CA has repealed the open carry law and is in the process of making ccw unlawful. Funny story; one of the authors of the ban on firearms was threatened for his role in the law, and has now asked for special consideration, TO CARRY A WEAPON!!!

I’m a former member of the USAF Security Service. I know how to use small arms. Personally, I believe that every law-abiding adult who is capable of handling a firearm should be trained in their use for self-defense purposes. The 2nd Amendment is not just for the purpose of being able to own and carry weapons, it was placed in the U.S. Constitution to prevent government tyranny as well as a means to protect ourselves and our loved ones in situations where we are in imminent danger. I encourage others to protect themselves and their property. The USCCA appears to be a potential asset. This is my first time to investigate this website.

I live in New York city wheret6he ccw is legal but you have to povide a very good reason to get a lic. to carry One way to get it is to proved that you are a business man and that you have a minimum weekly deposit in the bank of aboyt $5000.00 cash for a minimum period of six month consecutive. and to have a good criminal record. I am traying to do this in the near future because the place that I live is one of the most dangerous places in New York city.

I had a permit back when I first had to leave the sheriffs department after an injury. I let it expire in 1994. I just picked up a new one in the county I live in today. I was suprised at the amount of people who are trying and succeeding to get them right now in the State of California.I live in a gun friendly county,thank God.As the amount of incidents continues to rise around me I now feel the need again to strap it on. I went to the range some six months ago with my daughter and her Air Force husband.I was still very accurate with both my weapons.I hope I never have to use it but like they say better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Not a fan of registering own or to carry. When the government decides to take weapons from law-abiding citizens you know where they will go first. You got it! To the registered owner’s houses. They will have no record on me.

i am not crazy about owning a gun,i mean i am ex military and they dont scare me i just never thought it would come a day like is coming.but im trying to figure some things out about how to do this my boyfriend says i need to buy a gun,im not going to carry it of course but he says i need one for safety of me and my kids.ok i get that,but hes says i dont have to get a permit,so if i dont have a permit where can i buy a gun?buy ammo?or can i even go to the range?i mean he says i need to check out gun shows,and ask locals where i live but not sure how to go about it.any advice?

You can buy private party, from gun shows, or from a store. Depending on the state you live in, the guns are or are not registered. There is no waiting period in TX for handguns or rifles. Many states have waiting periods for handguns, but not certain rifles. Shows and private party have no waiting period, nor will you be on a list. You can buy ammo at Walmart for no trouble or registration. Going to the range? Most ranges have you fill out an ID card with drivers license the first time you fire there. I do not know what they do with that info. If you know anyone with farm land or ranch land, you can practice targets there. Also, some ranges have only one person who is shooting sign in, but not all.

Unless you are on a computer somewhere other than your home, "they" have a record on you as of your post. There are things going on in the snoop and poop world of the alphabet agencies most of us can hardly imagine.

harry lloyd
I live in Kentucky where open carry is permitted .. where ever i go with in legal perameters my 10 m.m is on my hip ….
God bless the State of Kentucky .. the right to open carry is in the state constitution

I have no criminal record, and recently I noticed an individual carrying an openly seen semi-auto on his person here in the County of Salt Lake. I plan on taking a concealed weapon permit class, as crime has gotten really bad here lately, with shootings, carjackings, assaults, you name it. My wife and I have a baby girl coming in about a month, and I’ll be damned if I’m not going to take precautions to protect my family and friends when society has gone sour with idiots and scumbags. So if anybody decides to mess with me, mu family, or my friends, they best be knowing who they are f***ing with. And like it has been written, better to have it and not need it than to not have it and need it. Oh yeah… local law enforcement around here? Gimme a break…..

I spent over 28 years as a USAF Security Police Officer, I’m a life long Democrat and own an arsenal of various weapons. Oh by the way I have a FL concealed carry permit and I’m not afraid of the gov’t taking my weapons. Matter of fact this president has told folks both in public and in private that he will not sign legislation to change the 2nd amendment. My son is an AF Capt and daughter an Army 2nd Lt and they both share my point of view about guns and right to carry a concealed weapon.

He also told us that that Benghazi fiasco was the result of a video, that the “Obamacare penalty” wasn’t a tax – while his lawyers argued in front of scotus that it was, that the Muslim Brotherhood is only part of the Arab Spring revolution for freedom and democracy – and not the radical Islamists we now know them to be, that he would oversee the most “transparent” government in the history of this country – while blocking investigations and inquiries into potentially serious infractions committed by he and his appointees….and I could go on. As it relates to your position on Obama and gun rights, you might want to do a little more research…let me help – http://www.gunbanobama.com/

What do you think now? Afraid of the government yet? Still have that confidence now that he has stated that he wants to do something about those scary “assault” weapons? They have an agenda. What they say to get elected, and what they try to do once in office are very different things.

I’m from Tucson AZ, and have had my concealed permit for about two years now. I decided to join because I feel that the information provided is priceless. I feel the class itself was just the raw basic and I wanted to increase my knowledge and read what other law abiding citizens have to say about concealed carry. I’m a firm believer that you should not pick and choose the day when you should carry because I don’t want it to be the day I chose not to that I would need it but I still want to be comfortable with it as well. I loved this article. I only joined on 10/21/2012, but I can’t wait to read more.

I escaped California fifteen years ago and moved to north Idaho. It is the best move I ever made. We have cwp permits here. The states constitution says if it is legal for you to purchase and own a gun, they have to issue the permit. I wouldn’t raise my kids anywhere else. Good luck on the east coast. I have lots of family there. My wife is from Delaware and feels the same way.

This president WILL try very hard to restrict having a gun and confiscating some types of semiautomatics. The UN treaty is coming up to take away and restrict ownership of guns very soon……watch for it…..Hillary has already signed off on it.

Everyone seems to forget history. There was anotherm an who used props – 3 children to make his case against firearms. He disarmed his country. With a single machine that did not even kill, he was able to commit unspeakable crimes. The machine – developed by IBM and which was provided and serviced through the entire WWII was the simple Census machine. The crime? Genicide! The man? Adolf Hitler

I am a 66 years old a retired USN military with service connected disabilities. I live in a peaceful community, also, I am a member of a Firearm Association in the community. I choose to get a CCW permit for self defense/protection and for the protection of my family. I carry a handgun every time I step out of my front door. I want to have some protection because you just don’t know what is going to happen out there.

The most insightful and significant position is that we have the God-given duty to protect our lives – as fathers and husbands are responsible to defend our families – and as members of our communities to aid our fellow citizens.

I am 18 years old right now and my dad doesnt want me to own a gun and I live in ca, so you need to be 21 to get a ccw. but no matter what my dad sayes once im 21 im getting a ccw .then getting me a s&w magnum 500 50 cal baby!!!!!

The horrible incident at the theater several months ago, people slaughtered in their seats! Anyone with a CWP could have stopped the carnage! I’m 57 and have a permit, GOD forbid that I would ever have to experience that event…I know I would have PUT THAT ANIMAL OUT OF HIS MISERY.

A woman in N Fla a few years ago just outside of Tallahassee (State Capital) her car was set up to break down. While she sat on the shoulder of the road a MAD
ANIMAL kidnapped her, and cut her head off! In the recent past he came out of the GA mountain trail into FL after killing several women and man, didn’t hurt their dogs. All those poor souls were decapitated by a 60 something scumbag. If the woman in the car waiting for help had a GUN liscence or not, she would be alive today.

And to think that the liberals want us all to be sitting ducks for the crazy/psycho fools out there. Taking the guns out of the law abiding citizens hands and making it easier for the crazies to do what they do. Remember, its the guns, not the crazies pulling the triggers causing the carnage, the media wants you to believe. Its sad.

I live in mo. and have a ccw permit and don’t go out my door without my 9mm. I carry it when I go to the theater to see a movie and will carry Everyplace I legally can. I encourage everyone to get there ccw and take the responsibility of protecting there family and the other people around them. The police are riding in your back pocket. I am a Vietnam vet and once took an oath to protect and I still take that seriously regardless of the idiots that in office now.

I live in CT (The Constitution State) and feel bad for the many children killed. But don’t mess with my rights. They want to tak away “assault” rifles from the citizens but allow the police to have them. Will the police have to take periodic psyc tests? What happens when one of them looses it and goes berserk? This makes no sense and scares me.

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I live in AL, I have had a CCW for close to 20 yrs now. Fortunately I have never had to use my gun, but our communities are getting dangerous. Currently AL is a may issue, but the shall issue is in the house for discussion as we speak.
My son who just recently turned 21 has his CCW and carries a Berreta 92FS. I wouldn’t be without my gu in this world anymore.

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My name is Claude. On March 3,2013, I planned on cleaning my weapon(.45cal). argued with my wife, for a minute. I unloaded the weapon and left my home.While walking outside my wife called 911. St.francis police arrested me for carrying conceled weapon.(unloaded). I’m a responsible gun owner. X-Army .45cal pistol team. Ft.sill OK. I did not feel it is a weapon unless it’s loaded. I spent two days in jail. Court dated June 20, 2013, Have attorney,but I don’t want to plead guilty.Really can’t afford jury.I have a clean record.Age 53 Any comments or help are appreciated. Should of got a permmit earlier. Had 3 drinks that day. No breathalizer taken. (Milwaukee County Court)

I own a gun and have a concealed carry permit but never carry the thing. I shoot at ranges from time to time; but, in all of my 63 years of life I have never, even remotely, had the need for a weapon. Of course, I’m a motorcyclist with over 200K miles and wear a helmet but have never had a need for that either. So, I guess it is one persons safety or paranoia level that causes one to take such actions. To each their own!!!!

Tom, I respect the fact that you are CCW holder, and that you do have a gun that you practice with at the range from time to time, but I have to ask you a question. Why did you get your CCW in the first place? Why do you own a gun? Do you just like to shoot at the range once in a while( I get that), thats cool. Do you have it for protection of your family, yourself, your home? Why? We CCW holders, wish that we did not have to carry weapons ourselves. We wish everyone could live in peace and harmony,and that there were no bad, crazy, psycho thug felons that will rob you, beat you, kidnap you, rape you, kill you for a $1.00, and for your car, and think nothing about it, and will sleep as sound as a baby at night when they are not doing all the above. There is evil and crazy people out there whether we choose to believe/see it or not. Many people have the mentality that IT WILL NOT HAPPEN TO ME, ONLY OTHER PEOPLE. Thats a dangerous mindset to have. Its not all lets all hug each other, peace not war, why cant we just all get along, because the reality of it all, is that we cant. There is evil out there, believe it or not. Why do you have house insurance, car insurance, fire extinguishers in your home, alarms in your house. Are you paranoid that your house will catch on fire, flood, be blown away by a tornado, that someone will break in and steal all your stuff that you worked so hard to get over the years? Why? We carry, not that we are paranoid, but its more like an insurance policy. We hope we never need it, but when we do, it will be there. So, what actions do we take out of the ordinary to keep our family, ourselves, and our homes safe from the evil out there? To each their own. God forbid you never become a victim of a violent crime.

Here in South Dakota, Open carry has always been the law, when the Fed began cinching up on carry laws, we in SD became a must issue state, with VERY liberal issue laws. To get a cc permit you need a ten dollar bill and your SD Drivers License or some other document to show citizenship of the State for 30 days or longer. Take that to the Sheriff’s office, or a Deputy, he will issue you your temp cc permit valid for 30 days, your application will be sent to the Sec of State, who will mail your permit within that 30 day period.
Only if you do not pass the background check by the Sec of State can you be turned down.
Being a disabled cop, I have been well trained with the handgun that I purchased for the Job and still retain, being a former Gunsmith, I know the operations, and safety requirements of firearms use, and I have kept up my marksmanship using my cache of ammo that I picked up for my .45 ACP pistol before giving up my FFL after I became disabled. Saddly I was forced to sell off my firearms collection, including the sniper rifle I built up for my last possition of Chief of Police for a small midwest city, since it was always my rifle I took it along when I left. The only firearms I kept were my dad’s old .22 Remington Target Master Jr. that he used for may years to put meat on the table when we lived on the family farm, this before disability and the Federal Government forced him to sell it. Now I live on Social Security having used my savings to help out our son when he was in need, and the bit I get from Workers Comp. I would join up, however finances have put that on hold till I work out many things, including some problems with the Fed, the result of loosing my home to FMHA when we fell in arrears after Workers Comp tried to take me off, a six month court battle which I won resulted in that loss and being sued in Federal Court some 300 miles from my home while I lay in a hospital bed recovering from the 4th attempt to repair my back which was injured in a line of duty accident. Enough of crying online, God I Hate that, I guess I should cut it

I just wanted to relate a personal incident where my gun saved my friend & I didn’t even have to touch it. A few years ago I was driving a friend & I to a family research archive in Atlanta Georgia. We were coming a small country town about 100 miles away. I wasn’t familiar with the area & accidently got off the wrong exit & ended up in a very bad area of Atlanta. I was boxed in between cars while in line at a red light & while waiting a group of young black men surrounded my car & while they were looking inside & trying to open a door,which they were all locked,I lifted my sweater off of the counsel & pointed at my gun. After seeing the gun they backed away saying whoa!!

I forgot to mention that I’ve had my concealed weapons permit for 20yrs now & I’m a great granny at 65yrs old. I went to a gun safety class & had classroom instructions & firearm training on the range which wasn’t required. Yesterday my husband shot a huge timber rattlesnake that was in a flowerbed by our front porch step.

security guardsViolent crime is still a real threat that can strike anyone anytime and anywhere.the number one goal is the protection and survival of the innocent: that’s you, someone you love, or another innocent person.

When I was 23, and 8 months pregnant, the husband and I were going target shooting. In Ojai, Calif I was driving, I pulled up to a red light, behind a car, and a car behind me. The light turned green, the car behind me honked their horn, the two BIG guys got out of their car and headed for me and were very angry, they came to driver’s side of my truck, and tried opening the doors, they were going to pull me out, but before they had the chance, I pulled out my Browning 9mm from under the kitchen towel between us on the truck seat, and started to point it to the guys at my window, cocked it on the way, I seriously asked them both
“Do you really wanted to Fu*k around?”
Their faces went pale, they turned and ran back to their car, jumped in and swerved over to the left turn lane and went through the red light as fast as they could, burning rubber the whole way through the intersection. It all happened SO FAST!!
Seriously, I think that without my quick thinking and pulling my 9mm, they would have done me great harm. My husband, being ex police, said to me, “smooth move baby!” That was 40 years ago. I’m getting me another gun pretty soon.

And what about if the guys came up to you car, drug you out and beat you until you were in a coma, or worse, killed you and your entire family? Jim, what kind of utopia world do you live in man? She just evened the playing field more. 2 big guys can do damage, or kill just by their fist alone. God forbid you ever being a victim of some useless, evil thug out there. People are crazy out there, and its not the law abiding CCW holders as the left wing media wants you to believe it is. Felons, thugs and creeps are called those names for a reason. We are just trying to survive the scum out there. Wake up before you or someone you love is a victim.

Well, I grew up in South Carolina, then moved to New York. Everyone in our dirt-road South Carolina community was family and EVERYONE had firearms. All the women and children knew how to handle firearms. Actually, I don’t remember any “accidental shootings” of family and friends. Guns were for hunting and the protection of the household. These days society is so much more dangerous for women. Everything from domestic violence to road-rage and kidnapping. After reading these comments, it’s time for me to carry. I’ve worked very hard, for many years to build a business, good life, nice home, nice cars. Not willing to allow some crazy violent person to just take it all away, without a fight. I now live in Texas, so I can carry.

I am new visiting this site…my question is this to all gun lovers here. Why don’t we go back to the days of the old west, where everyone is allowed to carry a gun and end all disputes with a gun fight? That is the direction we as a nation is heading based on the comments here. I am a former Army Infantry Sgt. I know what guns can do. Guns in the hands of someone mentally unstable is not a pretty thing. We need some form of gun control PLEASE.

Jim, do you really think that more so called GUN CONTROL will get us anywhere? Do you really think that GUNS(the inantimate object) is the problem? Have you and other liberal minded people out there ever thought that it could be the thugs, the felons, the crazy/psycho people out there who could care less if you live or die, that have guns illegally, and who actually pull the trigger of the gun, and mind you is a cold inantimate object, made of steal, metal, plastic, wood etc and is incapable of killing anyone, unless someone picks a gun up and actually pulls the trigger? Or, do you like many people out there believe the media lies and hype, and are brain washed in believing that CCW holders(law abiding) are all blood thirsty people who cant wait to draw their guns and start shooting for anything that happens. CCW holders have a higher standard, because they carry. We try to avoid conflicts, and try to avoid bad situations. This is not a utopia. Bad people do exist out there, believe it or not. God forbid you get killed over $1.00, or you wife gets raped or killed by a thug, just because he can do it and get away with it. Some people dont care if you live or die. They just want what they want from you, and do whatever it takes to get it. Kill, torture, rape, etc, doesnt matter, they still sleep without a conscious. Contrary to what you think or believe, its not the old west. We carry to defend our selves from the evil that is out there, and believe me, its out there, whether you want to believe/see it or not. Stay safe….

I am a single 67 year old living in Utah. I got my ccp because this world gets more dangerous every year and with drug use on the rise I feel that I need to be ready should, god forbid, anyone tried to hurt me or mine(family). I have always been on the other side of this issue, would not even buy my boys any type of gun including toy ones. Don’t ever aim a gun at anyone even if it is a toy……but with the world going into a tailspin and bad stuff happening daily, I feel that I am the one in charge of protection for me and what I hold dear, I even got a pink holster for my ruger lcp. I pray I will never have to use it but if I need to I am definitely able to.